Hazel
The three of us sit out on Dylan’s balcony drinking Hurricane’s and trying to figure out what we are going to do next.
“Guys, I don’t know what I’m going to do. This job made up all of my income.”
“Do you have any savings?” Dylan asks.
“Just about a thousand dollars and that’s all going to next month’s rent and expenses. There will be nothing after that. ”
“You know we will take care of you,” Andrew says.
“I know you would, but I have to be independent. I can’t allow any man to have any power over me. ”
“Gosh Hazel, it isn’t about power. Don’t you trust us?” Dylan asks.
“I trust the both of you, but a principle is a principle. ”
We all sit silent; contemplating what I have just said.
There isn’t much Dylan and Andrew won’t do for me. It would be so easy to receive their help, but I’ve got to stand up on my own and bring some strength to this relationship. I can’t be the helpless girl that they need to take care of.
I won’t let myself be so weak. My mother always taught me to work hard at being independent. But then again, she wouldn’t have thought that I would get myself fired from my dream job.
Being an international flight attendant has been my dream since I was a kid, but I’m a grown woman now. I’m in a serious relationship. My life is changing.
“We’re in a committed relationship Hazel. That means we’re a team,” Dylan says.
“You’ve got to think of us as a team. We can’t let a team member go down. Especially since we love you so much,” Andrew says.
“I really appreciate what the two of you are saying. For now, I’m good. I’ll think about what you’re saying. ”
Both Dylan and Andrew are happy that I’m going to think about letting them help me. This would all be so different if we were married. But as of now, we’re barely even dating. So why does this relationship feel so permanent to me?
“Anybody want another Hurricane?” Dylan asks.
“No, I’m good,” Andrew says.
“I think I should start drinking water. ”
“One water coming up. ”
Dylan leaves the balcony with our glasses. He is such a handsome man. And so very confident. Both Dylan and Andrew are overflowing with confidence.
They were the best pilots that could get us through anything. I shiver when I remember the night we almost went down. What would have happened if they hadn’t been such good pilots? We’d be dead for sure.
These guys have not just skill but a passion for flying. They joke around a lot but when it comes to flying, they are dead serious. There are no better pilots at the airline. It’s a shame that they have to quit, and all because of me.
My nose is tickling me, and my heart starts beating fast. Why should these two give up flying for me?
“Andrew, both of you come away with pretty huge severance packages, correct?”
Andrew stretches out and yawns.
“Sure, it was in our contracts. ”
“What was in our contracts?”
Dylan is back from the kitchen. He sets down three iced tea glasses filled with water and ice. I take a sip and try to slow down my thoughts.